Leighton and BER-NIE? (5/22/2010)

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Guess who is the only Flyers goalie to post 3 shut outs in 1 playoff series?

Of course it’s Bernie Parent right? … It’s not?

It must be Ron Hextall then? … NO?

Pelle Lindbergh? … What, .. NO?

It’s our present net-minder Michael Leighton! Or Leights as the boys like to call him. And get this, the series isn’t over yet!

With a 3 games to 1 advantage the Flyers and Leighton could possibly shut out the Les Habitants one more time!

On Saturday though the Flyers were skating on all cylinders despite the reported skate blade issues even! The offense was balanced through all the lines as was the effort. The team stayed pretty disciplined to keep the Montreal power play people lonely. The defense with Pronger and Carle leading the way was dominant. Especially in the 2nd period! The Flyers held Montreal to 1 shot in the 2nd period. Ironically for Leighton this was more of a late ’90′s Brodeur/Devils game. Make a few huge stops and the team will limit the opponent to too many chances.

Although let’s give Leighton some props. He has been fundamentally solid and he has matured with a mix of confidence. I only saw 1 mistake he made late in the 3rd period he flopped down way to early and the Canadien was too quick to shoot and shoot low. But hey this is going to happen at times.

On offense the Flyers have some stars growing among them. Claude Giroux being one of them. While on paper it looked like Van Riemsdyk had the most potential Giroux had speed, hands, heart, and he can flat out score. He netted 2 on Saturday. Now 1 of them was an empty netter but even that one did not come easy. He out hustled a Canadien player and muscled a shot at the empty net.

Also huge on Saturday was the return of Jeff Carter who also helps the Flyers in an area that has been a sore spot. They have been losing too many face offs in this playoff run overall. Carter looked very good Saturday.

Another guy with rising stock is Ville Leino. He also has a little spark in his blades. A guy who has really stepped it up in the playoffs despite some nagging physical problems has been Blair Betts.

Gagne is playing at a high level with a banged up foot. Briere is still flying around as is Mike Richards. Richards was carrying the load against Boston until Gagne bolted a few jolts of life in. Richards has been quieter in the Canadiens series but he is always lurking.

This team is coming together and the whole team is getting it. Let’s close this out and take on the CUP!